Multimedia Software - Music, Movies, Burning

This may seem similar to other posts, but I have found that none of the other posts get to a point where there is an actual discussion of what works and what doesn’t, not to mention I am looking for something that might not have been discussed already, please give this a chance.

I am looking for a new solution to all of my digital media problems. I want new software for music and movies. Here’s the setup. I have an hp Pavilion zt3010us notebook (1.5GHz Centrino, DVD Burner, 32MB dedicated video RAM, ATI Radeon Mobility 9000, built in 802.11b). I have installed an 80GB 7200 RPM hard drive. I have 2GB of PC2700 RAM. At my desk I have a pair of Logitech Z-3e speakers, as well as an external 80GB 5400 RPM USB 2.0 hard drive and a 160GB 7200 RPM USB2.0 hard drive. I currently use 7USB ports at my computer, and that number will be going up soon. I listen to a lot of music, I have nearly 4,000 MP3s (1,000 of which desperately need help with their tagging and file naming). In several days I will be getting an ATI USB 2.0 TV Tuner.

I am after several things. First, I want to find the best MP3 software for me. I don’t care if it is combined in something that does more than music, but I want something good. I have used Windows Media Player and MusicMatch Jukebox. I like MusicMatch because I have the DFX Sound enhancement (full version) and the sound is good. The full version of MusicMatch says it has tagging abilities, but I want something that is permanent, not just in MusicMatch, and I want something that works. Should I buy MusicMatch (and all future versions, for that matter) or should I get something else. In the end I just want something with good library support, good play list support, and something that works without sapping all of my system resources. Ideally it would have the ability to let me purchase music online, but I suppose that isn’t critical. Second, I want a good program for watching DVDs and the shows that I will record with my new TV Tuner. I have heard that the software that comes with the TV Tuner isn’t the greatest, so if there is something out there that is very good for recording and watching DVDs and recorded shows please help me. I have been using InterVideo WinDVD but I haven’t been pleased. It seems laggy and slow. What should I use? Finally, I would like some good CD/DVD burning software. I have a basic version of Roxio that came with my notebook, but I am not sure if it is good or bad. Is there something good that incorporates all of these? Please give me whatever you think, don’t worry about budget or anything like that, I will wade through all that in the end. Again, if there are excellent programs that do just one thing, great. But, if there is a wonderful program that does all three, that would be good as well. Please give me suggestions that are warranted. There have been lots of discussions that just consist of people saying what they use, I want to know why and what works and doesn’t. Thank you to all, and have a Merry Christmas (or happy holidays, I suppose).


Caleb Schmerge

 

I almost forgot. I use my iPAQ hx4705 as my MP3 player. I have about 1.25GB of music on it right now, so as you can imagine, it would be extremely nice to have good syncronization in the music software. I guess, in the end, it isn't critical, so if there is something that is just lacking this, don't worry about it, but it would sure be nice. Thanks for the help.